Phone micro SD 512g with roughly 250g of pics and videos gone RAW… HELP !!!

Recovering Lost Photos and Videos from a 512GB MicroSD Card: A Guide to Data Recovery Strategies

Losing valuable photos and videos from a microSD card can be a distressing experience, especially when the data holds sentimental or professional importance. If you’ve encountered a situation where approximately half a terabyte of media files has become inaccessible or appears as RAW format, don’t panic. This article offers insights into effective data recovery methods, potential challenges, and best practices to maximize your chances of retrieval.

Understanding the Situation

Many users rely on high-capacity microSD cards, such as a 512GB Gigastone model, for storing大量照片和视频。When files suddenly turn RAW or become unreadable, it often indicates corruption, file system errors, or physical issues with the storage device.

In this case, the user reports that around 250GB of media files are affected, and although most data has been backed up to another drive, a significant portion remains inaccessible. Standard data recovery tools have only managed to recover a small subset of the files.

Common Causes of Data Loss on microSD Cards

• File System Corruption: Improperly ejecting the card, unexpected power loss, or formatting errors can corrupt the file system, rendering files inaccessible.
• Physical Damage: Wear and tear, physical impact, or manufacturing defects could damage the card’s hardware.
• Logical Errors: Software bugs or malware can corrupt data structures on the card.
• Compatibility Issues: Using incompatible or outdated card readers or devices can sometimes cause recognition problems.

Initial Steps to Attempt Data Recovery

1. Stop Using the Card: To prevent overwriting existing data, cease using the microSD card immediately.

2. Use Reliable Recovery Software: Various programs are designed to scan and recover lost files. Popular options include:

3. Recuva

4. Stellar Data Recovery
5. Disk Drill
6. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Run these tools on a stable computer, and perform a deep scan of the card.

1. Attempt Different Recovery Tools: Sometimes, a particular software may identify files that others miss. Multiple attempts increase the chances of success.

2. Use Raw File Recovery Mode: If files appear as RAW, specialized recovery modes within these tools can help recover files without relying on the file system.

Limitations of Data Recovery Software

Despite many advancements, data recovery software may have limitations:

• Partial Recovery: Programs may only recover